I love that story! All of us have that same olfactory phenomenon... I've had to move away from people in public due to strange odors! But food. Ah, food! Just yank a plate right out from under somebody's nose and give it a good WHIFFFFF!!
What a horror story about your shopping! Man, your cost of living must be stupidly high! I hope you can find a better source of maple on the net. I bet Harry and David could beat those fruit prices!!!! Jeeeez!
Columbus doesn't have Costco?
Anyhow, you did great. Let us know how your break goes.